Wrist Support With Rotating Hand Grip

ABSTRACT

A wrist support device that includes a palm grip protection strap pivotably attached to a wrist support strap. The palm grip protection strap pivots between a first position in which it is generally perpendicular to the wrist support strap and provides palm protection and a second position in which it is generally parallel to the wrist support strap and out of the user&#39;s way. The device includes a fastening system for securing the palm grip protection strap in the second position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment. More particularly,the present invention relates to equipment for protecting a user's wristand hand during exercise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weightlifters have been using wrist wraps to protect and support theirwrists during lifts for many years. Wrist wraps generally comprise oneor more straps that wrap around the user's wrist and had support throughslight compression of the joint and the added stiffness of the wrap.Wrist wraps are especially helpful for exercises that involve movementof a barbell, dumbbell, or other load above the lifter's head, and helpprevent fatigue in the wrist joint which may set in before the lifter'slarger muscles have been sufficiently fatigued.

Gymnasts have been using palm grips for many years to protect the palmsof their hands during movements that involve rings, pull-up bars, andthe like. Such movements involve very high levels of force applied bythe gymnast to the rings or bar. This force is translated via frictionbetween the gymnast's palm and the rings or bar. Many repetitions ofsuch movements can cause injury to the gymnast's palms in the form ofblisters or even painful tears to the skin. Palm grips are intended toalleviate this issue. Palm grips generally comprise a leather or othermaterial strap secured to the wearer's wrist and to the base of thewearer's fingers such that the leather strap covers the wearer's palm.The strap, therefore, bears the majority of the friction between thewearer's hand and the ring or bar.

In recent years, fitness experts have increasingly advocated that crosstraining provides health benefits to individuals across a variety ofathletic skill levels. Fitness experts have also identified additionalbenefits of high-intensity fitness training to both elite athletes andthe general population. The result has been the increasing popularity ofcross training exercise regimens that emphasize use of multiple types ofexercise movements in high-intensity workouts.

Such high-intensity exercise regimens often utilize workouts thatutilize 2-4 different movements that each target different body partsand athletic skills. For example, one workout might involve a series ofshoulder-to-overhead barbell presses (for which an athlete may wish tohave the additional wrist support of wrist wraps), bodyweight pull-ups(for which an athlete may wish to have the palm protection of palmgrips), and “wall ball shots” (which involve tossing a medicine ball toan overhead target and then catching the ball, an exercise for which anathlete may prefer to have bare hands to better handle the ball).Further, this workout may be set up as a competition between athletesfor the shortest time to complete a given number of repetitions of eachexercise or as a set time period in which the athletes compete to amassthe most number of repetitions of each exercise. In either case, theathletes are racing to move as fast as possible through the movements.

In this context, it is extremely time consuming for the athlete tochange between wrist wraps, palm grips, and bare hands multiple timesduring the workout. The lost time encourages athletes to forego wristwraps and palm grips, which substantially increases the risk that theathlete will injure his or her wrist and/or hand. Furthermore, it isinconvenient for an athlete to have to organize and carry multiplepieces of protective equipment in his or her bag, which increases thepossibility that the athlete will forget his or her wrist wraps or palmgrips and, therefore, increase the risk of injury.

What is needed therefore, is a device that provides athletes with theability to shift quickly and conveniently between palm protection andbare hands without sacrificing wrist support and protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide both wrist supportand palm grip protection in a single device, while permitting the userto conveniently remove the palm grip protection while maintaining thewrist support.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such a device inwhich the palm grip protection will not be in the way of the user whenit is not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a devicethat is inexpensive and simple to manufacture, assemble, and maintain.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a wristsupport device is provided that comprises a first strap adapted to wraparound a user's wrist; a first fastening system for securing the firststrap to itself so that the first strap forms a loop; a second strapsized to extend from the user's wrist to the base of the user's fingers;and an attachment system for attaching the second strap to the firststrap. The first strap has a first side and a second side. Theattachment system permits the second strap to pivot relative to thefirst strap between a first position in which the second strap issubstantially perpendicular to the first strap and a second position inwhich the second strap is substantially parallel to the first strap.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a second fasteningsystem adapted to secure the second strap in the second position. Insome embodiments, the second fastening system comprises a two-componentfastener, where a first component of the second fastening system isattached to the second strap and a second component of the secondfastening system is attached to the first strap. The second strap has afirst length measured from the attachment system to the first componentof the second fastening system, and the second component of the secondfastening system is positioned on the first strap such that it islocated a distance away from the attachment system equal to the firstlength when the first strap is secured around a user's wrist.

In some embodiments, the first fastening system comprises atwo-component fastener, where a first component and a second componentof the first fastening system are both attached to the first side of thefirst strap and a loop ring attached adjacent to an end of the firststrap. The second component of the second fastening system is attachedto the second side of the first strap.

In some embodiments, the first fastening system comprises atwo-component fastener, where a first component of the first fasteningsystem is attached to a first side of the first strap and a secondcomponent of the first fastening system is attached to the second sideof the first strap. The second component of the second fastening systemis attached to the first side of the first strap.

In some embodiments, the first strap comprises two strap pieces attachedtogether and the first component of the first fastening system and thefirst component of the second fastening system are the same component.

In some embodiments, the attachment system comprises an opening formedin either the first strap or the second strap adjacent the wrist end ofthe second strap and a rod securable in the opening. In someembodiments, the rod comprises a base portion and a screw portion,wherein the base portion includes internal threads that correspond toexternal threads on the screw portion. In some embodiments, the devicefurther comprises at least one opening adjacent a finger end of thesecond strap adapted to receive at least one finger of the user when thesecond strap is in the first position.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a wristsupport device is provided that comprises a first strap sized to wraparound a user's wrist; a second strap sized to extend from the user'swrist to the base of the user's fingers and having a wrist end and afinger end; and an attachment system comprising an opening in either thefirst strap or the wrist end of the second strap and a rod securableinside the opening so that the second strap can pivot relative to thefirst strap between at least a first position in which the second strapis substantially perpendicular to the first strap and a second positionin which the second strap is substantially parallel to the first strap.

In some embodiments, the rod comprises a screw part and a base part,wherein the screw part is adapted to be threaded into the base partthrough the opening. In some embodiments, the opening comprises a metalgrommet.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a first fasteningsystem for securing the first strap to itself in a loop; and a secondfastening system for securing the second strap to the first strap in thesecond position, comprising a two-component fastener, where a firstcomponent of the second fastening system is attached to the second strapand a second component of the second fastening system is attached to thefirst strap. In some embodiments, the second fastening system comprisesa fabric fastening system. In some embodiments, at least one of thefirst or second components of the second fastening system comprises atleast one magnet.

In some embodiments, the first strap further comprises: a first side, asecond side, a first end, and a second end; and a loop ring attachedadjacent the first end. The first fastening system comprises atwo-component fastener in which both a first component of the firstfastening system and a second component of the first fastening systemare attached to the first side of the first strap.

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, a wristsupport device is provided that comprises a first strap sized to wraparound a user's wrist; a second strap sized to extend from the user'swrist to the base of the user's fingers and having a wrist end and afinger end; a first fastening system for securing the first strap toitself so that the first strap forms a loop; an attachment systemcomprising an opening in either the first strap or the wrist end of thesecond strap and a rod securable inside the opening so that the secondstrap can pivot relative to the first strap between at least a firstposition in which the second strap is substantially perpendicular to thefirst strap and a second position in which the second strap issubstantially parallel to the first strap; and a second fastening systemfor securing the second strap in the second position, comprising atleast one component attached to the second strap.

In some embodiments, the second fastening system comprises atwo-component fastener in which a first component of the secondfastening system is attached to the second strap. In some embodiments,the first strap further comprises a loop ring attached adjacent to anend of the first strap and wherein the first fastening system comprisesa two-component fastener, wherein a first component and a secondcomponent of the first fastening system are both attached to a firstside of the first strap.

In some embodiments, the first fastening system comprises atwo-component fastener, where a first component of the first fasteningsystem is attached to a first side of the first strap and a secondcomponent of the first fastening system is attached to a second side ofthe first strap.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail inreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c are views of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on a user'swrist.

FIG. 4 is an alternative view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on a user'swrist.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a first embodiment of thepresent invention in the form of wrist support 10. Wrist support 10comprises a first strap 11 and a second strap 12. The first strap 11 hasa wrist pad 13 attached to it, as well as fastening system 14. In thisembodiment, the fastening system 14 is a two-component fastenercomprising a first component 14 a and a second component 14 b. In thisembodiment, the fastening system is a hook-and-loop system (such asVelcro), in which component 14 a is the hook portion and component 14 bis the loop portion.

The first strap 11 also has a loop ring 15 attached to a first end 16 ofthe strap 11. The loop ring 15 is sized so that the second end 17 of thefirst strap can be fed through it and folded back onto itself. In thisarrangement, the fastener components 14 a and 14 b can be secured to oneanother so that the first strap forms a loop. To achieve this, both ofthe components 14 a and 14 b of the first fastening system 14 areattached to the same side of the first strap 11. The first strap 11 hasa length appropriate for wrapping around a user's wrist, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Different lengths of the first strap are used indifferent embodiments to accommodate different user wrist sizes. In thiscontext, the length of the first strap refers to the distance betweenthe first end 16 and the second end 17. The length of the first strapand the positioning of the fastener components 14 a and 14 b areselected to give the user the ability to adjust the tension of thedevice around his or her wrists and to accommodate multiple wrist sizes.

The width of the first strap is selected to provide adequate support forthe user's wrist during weightlifting movements or other exercises. Thewidth is varied in other embodiments to be appropriate for differentamounts of support and/or different types of exercise.

The first strap 11 of the first embodiment comprises a flat webbingformed of a suitable material, such as nylon, polypropylene, cotton, orother material or blend of materials. In some embodiments, the strap isa woven webbing, in others it is a suitable unitary construction.

The second strap 12 is attached to the first strap via an attachmentsystem 18. The second strap 12 is adapted to provide protection to auser's palm and/or to improve the ability of a user to grip an objectwith his or her hand. In the embodiment shown, the second strap 12 issimilar to a gymnastics palm grip in material and construction. Thestrap 12 includes two finger openings 19 adapted to receive a user'sfingers as shown in FIG. 3a . The second strap 12 has a wrist end 20 anda finger end 21 and is sized to extend from a user's wrist to the baseof the user's fingers. In this context, the length of the second strap12 refers to the distance between the wrist end 20 and a finger end 21.

In the embodiment shown, the second strap 12 is comprised of a leathermaterial. In other embodiments, the second strap 12 is comprised of asynthetic leather, a suitable strap webbing material, or any othermaterial that is suitable for use as a gymnastics palm grip. Suchmaterials are sufficiently strong and resilient to withstand thesignificant friction created between a user's palm and a pull-up bar,for example, but are sufficiently soft and flexible so as not to createexcess friction and chafing on the user's palm and/or fingers.

In the embodiment shown, the pad 13 is comprised of a neoprene foam.Other foam types and other materials are used for the pad in otherembodiments.

The attachment system 16 of the device 10 permits the second strap 12 topivot relative to the first strap 11. The pivoting or rotating motion isillustrated by arrows 23 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, and3c , the pivoting motion allows the second strap to move between: (1) afirst position shown in FIG. 3a in which the strap 12 is substantiallyperpendicular to the first strap 11 and the second strap 12 providesprotection to the user's palm; and (2) a second position shown in FIG.3c in which the strap 12 is substantially parallel to the first strap 11and the strap 12 is secured out of the user's way. In this context, thereferences to perpendicular and parallel refer to the relationshipbetween the lengths of the first and second straps.

The embodiment shown also includes a second fastening system 22 which isused to secure the second strap 12 into its second position. In thisembodiment, the second fastening system 22 comprises a two-componentfastener with a first component 22 a attached to the second strap 12(shown in FIG. 1) and a second component 22 b attached to the firststrap 11 (shown in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, the second fasteningsystem 22 is a hook-and-loop system, in which the first component 22 ais the hook portion and the second component 22 b is the loop portion.The second component 22 b is positioned so that it aligns with the firstcomponent 22 a when the first strap is secured on a user's wrist and thesecond strap 12 is wrapped around the wrist into its second position.

FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c show the device 10 being worn by a user. In thesefigures, the first strap 11 is wrapped snuggly around the user's wristto provide support to that joint for, especially, weightliftingmovements involving a barbell or dumbbells. In FIG. 3a , the secondstrap 12 is in a first position to provide palm protection to the user.The user's fingers 24 have been placed through the finger openings 19 sothat the second strap 12 is secure in first position and does not movewhile the user performs exercises that bear against the strap 12.

FIG. 3b shows the second strap 12 being pivoted about the attachmentsystem 18. Arrows 25 indicate the path of movement that the attachmentsystem enables for the second strap 12. Once the user no longer needsthe palm grip protection provided by the second strap in its firstposition, he or she slips his or her fingers out of the finger openings19 and then simply rotates the second strap either clockwise orcounterclockwise. The user can secure the second strap out of his or herway by aligning it in parallel with the first strap and then wrappingthe second strap around the first strap and pressing the components ofthe second fastening system together.

FIGS. 3c and 4 show the second strap 12 secured into its secondposition. As shown, the lengths of the first strap 11 and the secondstrap 12 are essentially parallel. FIG. 4 shows how the second fasteningsystem 22 secures the second strap 12 in the second position. The firstcomponent 22 a of the system, which is attached to the second strap 12,is pressed onto the second component 22 b, which is attached to thefirst strap 11. The second fastening system secures the second strap outof the user's way so that it does not become a distraction or a dangerwhile the user performs exercises that do not require palm gripprotection.

In this embodiment, the second strap 12 is sized, and the secondcomponent 22 b of the fastening system is positioned, such that thesecond strap should be wrapped around the wrist in the direction awayfrom the loop ring 15 to ensure that the second fastening systemfunctions.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the attachment system 18 used in thisembodiment of the invention in relation to other components of thedevice 10. The second strap 12 has a reinforced portion 26 adjacent thewrist end 20. In this embodiment, the reinforced portion 26 comprises adouble layer webbing—i.e. a webbing folded over one end of the strap 12and attached using a box stitch 27. The reinforced portion 26 of thesecond strap 12 includes an opening 28 in the form of a hole madethrough the reinforced portion 26. In this embodiment, the opening 28includes a metal grommet 29. In other embodiments, the reinforcedportion 26 is comprised of a leather, synthetic leather, or othersufficiently strong and resilient material. In other embodiments, othertypes of eyelets are used in place of grommet 29, such as otherrivet-style components.

The first end 16 of the first strap 11 is also shown. It includes thewebbing of the first strap folded over onto itself in order to attachthe loop ring 15. An opening 30 is also formed in the first strap 11adjacent to the first end 16. The opening 30 and the opening 28 aresized and located to receive the attachment system 18, which enables thesecond strap 12 to pivot relative to the first strap 11. The attachmentsystem 18 comprises screw portion 31 and a base portion 32. The screwportion includes external threading that engages a complementaryinternal threading on the base portion 32. In this embodiment, theattachment system also includes a washer 33 disposed between the screwportion 31 and the first strap 11. To assemble the attachment system 18and attach the first and second straps together, the base portion 32 isinserted into the opening 28 of the reinforced portion 26, then insertedinto the opening 30, then the washer 33, and then the screw portion 31is screwed into the base portion 32 until it is sufficiently snug.

When the screw portion 31 is threaded into the base portion 32, theyform essentially a rod around which the straps can pivot. In someembodiments, the base portion is integrally attached to one of the firstor second straps. Other types of pivoting attachment systems are used inother embodiments, including more permanently attached pivoting rivetstyle attachments. In some embodiments, the screw portion, base portion,and other components of the attachment system are stainless steel. Inother embodiments, these components are formed of other appropriatemetals, composite materials, and thermoplastics, or combinationsthereof.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Device 110comprises a two-piece first strap 111 and a second strap 112. The firststrap 111 comprises a pad portion 113 and a strap portion 140. As in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the first strap 111 is sized and designed towrap around a user's wrist to provide support during weightliftingexercises, or any movement for which the user desires additional supportfor the wrist joint.

The first strap 111 includes a first fastening system 114, with a firstcomponent 114 a attached to the pad portion 113 and a second component114 b attached to the strap portion 140. The two components of thefastening system are on opposite sides of the first strap 111. Thisenables a user to simply wrap the first strap 11 around his or her wristand press the second component 114 b against the first component 114 ato secure the strap in place. In this embodiment, component 114 a is aloop portion of a hook-and-loop system, while component 144 b is thehook portion. The length of the strap is again selected so that the usercan adjust the tightness of the wrap and/or to accommodate differentsized wrists.

The second strap 112 is attached to the first strap 111 via the rotatingattachment system 118. In this embodiment, the attachment systemcomprises a thumb screw and a base for receiving the thumb screw. Thethumb screw and base form the rod that fits through openings formed inboth of the straps (not shown). This permits the second strap 112 torotate relative to the first strap 111.

The device 110 also includes a second fastening system 122 for securingthe second strap 112 to the first strap 111 in a manner similar to thatshown in FIGS. 3c and 4. Second fastening system has two components:component 122 a attached to the second strap 112 (in the form of twopieces of the hook portion of a hook-and-loop system) and component 122b attached to the first strap 111. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5,the second strap 112 can be pivoted so that it is substantially parallelto the first strap 111 and then secured in this position by pressing thecomponents of the second fastening system 122 together. Advantageouslyin the embodiment of FIG. 6, the entire outside surface of the firststrap 111 has the loop portion of a hook-and-loop system so that thesecond strap can be secured in the second position no matter how far thefinger end 121 reaches around the first strap 111 when it is on a user'swrist. In this design, the first component 114 a of the first fasteningsystem and the second component 122 b of the second fastening system areessentially one and the same component. That is, a single piece of loopfabric is used by both fastening systems.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes a single finger opening 119instead of two finger openings as shown for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.The opening 119 is sized to accommodate two of the user's fingers. Ofcourse, other embodiments employ different numbers of finger openings ofvarying size.

The fastening systems used in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 and FIG. 6are hook-and-loop type systems. But, other types of fastening systemsare used in other embodiments, such as buckles, snaps, buttons, or othertypes of fabric and/or touch fasteners. In some embodiments, fasteningsystems that use two components of the same kind are used, for example,3M's DualLock system. In such embodiments, both components have the samedesign. In some embodiments, a magnetic fastening system is used. Insuch embodiments, at least one first magnet is used in conjunction witheither a second magnet or a ferromagnetic material (such as certainmetals) to which the first magnet is attracted. For example, the secondfastening system in some embodiments comprises a first magnet attachedto the second strap and a second magnet or ferromagnetic materialattached to the first strap.

The spacing of the various parts attached to the first strap isimportant to the functioning of embodiments of the invention. Forexample, the second component of the second fastening system 22 b, 122 bmust be placed on the first strap 11, 111 at a position that isappropriate for the distance between the pivot point of the second strap(i.e., the attachment system 18, 118) and the first component 22 a, 122a of the second fastening system. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, this isachieved by ensuring that the second component 122 b (or the combinationof the component 114 a and component 122 b) extends to a distance fromthe attachment system 118 along the first strap 111 equal to thedistance along the second strap 112 from the attachment system to thefirst component 122 a. When this condition is true along both the padportion 113 and the strap portion 140, the second strap 112 will alwaysbe able to be secured into its second position.

For embodiments in which the first strap utilizes a loop ring or anotherfeature so that the first strap doubles back on itself to be secured,reference is again made to FIGS. 1 and 2. The first strap 11 has a firstside 41 on which the components of the first fastening system areattached. The second component 22 b of the second fastening system isattached to the second side 42. The second component 22 b is sized andpositioned so that it is the same distance from the attachment system 18around which the second strap pivots as the distance along the secondstrap between the attachment system 18 and the first component 22 a.

In general, the second component 22 b extends about the same distancealong the second side 42 from the second end 17 as the second component14 b extends along the first side 41 from the second end 17. The space43 between the two components 14 a and 14 b is generally the space thatpermits the fit of the strap to be varied around the wrist of a user.This is the portion of the strap that can easily be moved within theloop ring 15.

The relationships between the length of the second component 22 b, thelength of the space 43, the distance between the attachment system 18and the first component 22 a, and the distance between the attachmentsystem 18 and the far edge of the first component 14 a in the embodimentshown are as follows: The ratio of the length of the second component 22b to the length of the space 43 is about 2.75:2.5. The ratio of thelength of the second component 14 b to the length of space 43 is about3.25:2.5. The distance between the attachment system 18 and the secondcomponent 22 a is about the same as the distance between the attachmentsystem 18 and the far edge of the first component 14 a. The ratio of thelength of the second component 22 b to the length of the secondcomponent 14 b is about 2.75:3.25. When the device is sized up or down,preserving these ratios ensures that the second strap 12 can be safelysecured in its second position while still allowing adjustability in thefit of the device. At a minimum, the second component 22 b is sized andpositioned such that, when the first strap is folded back onto itselfthrough the loop ring, the second component 22 b extends far enough thatit can be reached by the first component 22 a on the second strap. Inother embodiments, the ratio between the length of the second component22 b and the space 43 is about 3:2, about 3:2.5, about 1:1, or about2:1.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of otherfeatures and embodiments can be employed without departing from thespirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wrist support device, comprising: a first strapadapted to wrap around a user's wrist and having a first side and asecond side; a first fastening system for securing the first strap toitself so that the first strap forms a loop; a second strap sized toextend from the user's wrist to the base of the user's fingers; and anattachment system for attaching the second strap to the first strap,wherein the attachment system permits the second strap to pivot relativeto the first strap between a first position in which the second strap issubstantially perpendicular to the first strap and a second position inwhich the second strap is substantially parallel to the first strap. 2.The device of claim 1, further comprising a second fastening systemadapted to secure the second strap in the second position.
 3. The deviceof claim 2, wherein the second fastening system comprises atwo-component fastener, wherein a first component of the secondfastening system is attached to the second strap and a second componentof the second fastening system is attached to the first strap; andwherein the second strap has a first length measured from the attachmentsystem to the first component of the second fastening system, andwherein the second component of the second fastening system ispositioned on the first strap such that it is located a distance awayfrom the attachment system equal to the first length when the firststrap is secured around a user's wrist.
 4. The device of claim 3,wherein the first fastening system comprises: a two-component fastener,wherein a first component and a second component of the first fasteningsystem are both attached to the first side of the first strap; and aloop ring attached adjacent to an end of the first strap; and whereinthe second component of the second fastening system is attached to thesecond side of the first strap.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein thefirst fastening system comprises: a two-component fastener, wherein afirst component of the first fastening system is attached to a firstside of the first strap and a second component of the first fasteningsystem is attached to the second side of the first strap; and whereinthe second component of the second fastening system is attached to thefirst side of the first strap.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein thefirst strap comprises two strap pieces attached together; and whereinthe first component of the first fastening system and the firstcomponent of the second fastening system are the same component.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the attachment system comprises an openingformed in either the first strap or the second strap adjacent the wristend of the second strap and a rod securable in the opening.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the rod comprises a base portion and a screwportion, wherein the base portion includes internal threads thatcorrespond to external threads on the screw portion.
 9. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one opening adjacent a finger endof the second strap adapted to receive at least one finger of the userwhen the second strap is in the first position.
 10. A wrist supportdevice, comprising: a first strap sized to wrap around a user's wrist; asecond strap sized to extend from the user's wrist to the base of theuser's fingers and having a wrist end and a finger end; and anattachment system comprising an opening in either the first strap or thewrist end of the second strap and a rod securable inside the opening sothat the second strap can pivot relative to the first strap between atleast a first position in which the second strap is substantiallyperpendicular to the first strap and a second position in which thesecond strap is substantially parallel to the first strap.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the rod comprises a screw part and a basepart, wherein the screw part is adapted to be threaded into the basepart through the opening.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein theopening comprises a metal grommet.
 13. The device of claim 9, furthercomprising: a first fastening system for securing the first strap toitself in a loop; and a second fastening system for securing the secondstrap to the first strap in the second position, comprising atwo-component fastener, wherein a first component of the secondfastening system is attached to the second strap and a second componentof the second fastening system is attached to the first strap.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein the second fastening system comprises afabric fastening system.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein at leastone of the first or second components of the second fastening systemcomprises at least one magnet.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein thefirst strap further comprises: a first side, a second side, a first end,and a second end; and a loop ring attached adjacent the first end; andwherein the first fastening system comprises a two-component fastener inwhich both a first component of the first fastening system and a secondcomponent of the first fastening system are attached to the first sideof the first strap.
 17. A wrist support device, comprising: a firststrap sized to wrap around a user's wrist; a second strap sized toextend from the user's wrist to the base of the user's fingers andhaving a wrist end and a finger end; a first fastening system forsecuring the first strap to itself so that the first strap forms a loop;an attachment system comprising an opening in either the first strap orthe wrist end of the second strap and a rod securable inside the openingso that the second strap can pivot relative to the first strap betweenat least a first position in which the second strap is substantiallyperpendicular to the first strap and a second position in which thesecond strap is substantially parallel to the first strap; and a secondfastening system for securing the second strap in the second position,comprising at least one component attached to the second strap.
 18. Thedevice of claim 17, wherein the second fastening system comprises atwo-component fastener in which a first component of the secondfastening system is attached to the second strap.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the first strap further comprises a loop ring attachedadjacent to an end of the first strap; and wherein the first fasteningsystem comprises a two-component fastener, wherein a first component anda second component of the first fastening system are both attached to afirst side of the first strap.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein thefirst fastening system comprises a two-component fastener, wherein afirst component of the first fastening system is attached to a firstside of the first strap and a second component of the first fasteningsystem is attached to a second side of the first strap.